PREREQUISITES

To register for this course, participants must:

1. Show proof of graduation from a CODA accredited dental hygiene program.
2. Provide a copy of their current dental hygiene license.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, participates shall:

1. Know how to use diode lasers safely and properly, and implement safety precautions during patient treatment.
2. Show proficiency in infection control guidelines and standards to include general set-up and break down of the laser, use of high-volume evacuation, plume hazards and precautions, care of the fiber, laser maintenance, sterilization standards and protocols, PPE and disposal of used supplies.
3. Understand how laser physics and tissue interaction relate to dental hygiene treatment for laser bacterial reduction and laser bacterial disinfection of the gingival sulcus.
4. Be acquainted with how diode lasers may be used to treat dental pathologies such as aphthous ulcers, oral mucosititis, and lichen planus, and how they can reduce pain and enhance treatment outcomes.
5. Understand how diode lasers can help prevent secondary dental infections and reduce inflammation in conjunction with nonsurgical periodontal therapy.
6. Be knowledgeable about the benefits of diode laser treatment with patients, and how to educate them on the role of lasers in non-surgical periodontal therapy.
7. Be able to discuss diode laser treatment sequences for laser bacterial reduction and laser bacterial disinfection of the gingival sulcus, post-operative instructions after Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy and management of potential adverse reactions and or complications.
8. Demonstrate clinical proficiency in laser bacterial reduction and laser bacterial disinfection of the gingival sulcus after non-surgical periodontal therapy.
9. Exhibit proficiency documenting the following information in a patient record:

• The type of laser utilized, including the wavelength of the laser, fiber size and exposure time.
• The settings used, such as pulse or continuous wave, and the power setting.
• The local anesthesia used, if any, signed consent form and eye protection worn by both patient and clinician.
• The procedure performed, including details as to whether hard or soft tissue was removed and any additional notes.

COURSE POLICIES

To receive documentation of course completion, participants must:

1. Read and be familiar with the Participants Course Curriculum Guide/Syllabus prior to the first-class session (provided to Participants upon registration).
2. Attend and participate in all portions of the didactic and in-person laboratory and clinical components of the course.
3. Participants will be checked off with an instructor on a one-on-one basis in laser treatment documentation, safety precautions and infection control during and after patient treatment, and laser bacterial reduction and laser bacterial disinfection of the gingival sulcus on a dental typodont or pig’s jaw.
4. Upon successful completion of the course, participants shall be awarded a GDHA Dental Diode Standard Proficiency Certificate.